The Chancellor of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun, Dr David Oyedepo,  said on Monday that the institution would be among the top 10 universities in the world by 2022.

I read this piece on the backpage of a newspaper on 17 Oct, written by Abimbola Adelakun, and commend the writer’s informed views on many of the issues. I however have disagreement with the writer on some issues. The writer wrote: “My preliminary assessment of the re-classification remedy masquerading as a revamp of the education sector is that it is meretricious, and does not demonstrate genuine commitment to resolving the problems of education …. Why do governors go for artificial restructuring while they neglect the real issues of funding, curriculum content development, continuous teacher retraining among others?

Following the educational reforms in Osun State, which led to the reclassification and mergers of schools, introduction of one school uniform and the alleged introduction of ‘Ifa’ as a school subject, concerned educationist have questioned the workability of such reforms, especially as it has caused an uproar among students, teachers and parents.

The Education Rights Campaign (ERC) has said that it welcomes the decision of three trade unions – the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) – to embark on solidarity strike actions to compel the Federal Government to honour agreements signed with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

First of all, I want to express my appreciation to ‘Seun for this message which came through my email box. He is the first commentator since this series started who has got a good grasp of what this focus on universities is all about. It is meant to be an interactive medium. Granted, I started it all by persuading VANGUARD that this is an abiding issue which requires everlasting attention by all stakeholders – which means virtually all adult Nigerians. Certainly, if you are not a student, you are a parent or grandparent or Uncle or Aunt of a university student. Perhaps you are a lecturer or the relative of a lecturer. One way or another our fates individually and as a nation are inextricably linked with the quality of our universities. It is not a personal crusade; it is a national endeavour which I have simply chosen to place on the national agenda for as long as we exist.